Sunil Noronha

You learn something new everyday. It’s now commonly accepted that learning happens 24×7. It’s a continuum that starts from the womb and never stops. It’s happening right now, as you read this article!

The key to learning something new everyday is to redefine learning. Everything we see, every new experience, each new book, every movie we watch — they are all learning experiences. Learning involves anything we didn’t know before, or something we understand better. There are many things you can do to ensure continuous learning by your child. Here are a few ideas.

TAKE OFF THE WEIGHT

When a child is reading a book, the purpose shouldn’t be to memorise and internalise. This becomes a mental weight she has to bear while she learns. When she consciously reads to learn, she doesn’t read calmly, peacefully and unhurriedly. She does it just so that she can get done with it. Children should be encouraged to read without worrying about whether or not they will be able to remember what they read.

Our minds naturally pick up information from the environment — in this case, from the book being read.

LET THE MIND WORK

The human mind works best if we don’t hinder its natural process. To do this, ensure your child reads in a relaxed manner. After she’s done, she may repeat it to you/herself in the way she best remembers it. This way, she associates a story with the characters, or concepts with information. This way, she won’t merely ‘mug’ information, but will use cues within a story to remember and understand it better.

Memories are created when synaptic connections in the brain are stimulated or existing ones are strengthened.

As a child attempts to recall a story, her synapses get stronger. More re-reads of a book under stress-free conditions, followed by this process, will help her remember and understand better.

Of course, this is not the ideal process for the night before the exam, but a new learning process that can be gradually become the norm.

INDULGE AND ENJOY LEARNING

By keeping the learning process light, and reading with the mind’s natural process of learning, your child can enjoy what she learns. She will discover the joy of it and pursue it on her own — and not just limit it to class textbooks. Her basic approach to knowledge and learning will change.

Developing the right attitude towards learning in early childhood can kindle the joy of knowledge and push children in the right direction. True, learning this way does not necessarily bring highest marks, but it will help your child enjoy the process of learning throughout life.

Reading more, research and self-exploration can become voluntary when learning becomes a pleasure. So let the learning adventure begin!